Palawan mayor dismissed

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron for hiring his son to lead an environmental project and concealing their relationship.

In an 11-page decision approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Dec. 15 and released yesterday, Bayron and his son Karl were found guilty of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct.

The court also ordered the dismissal, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancellation of civil service eligibility of Bayron and his son.

Graft probers said Bayron and Karl falsified documents and executed false declarations to hide their relationship.

“While the appointment of Karl is exempted from...the rule on nepotism under the Administrative Code of 1987, their acts of concealing such relationship and making a false statement in the contract constitute a deliberate violation of the standard of behavior expected of government officials and employees to state the truth,” the ombudsman ruling read.

Based on the complaint filed by a certain Aldrin Madreo, Bayron hired Karl as project manager of Bantay Puerto-VIP Security Task Force with a monthly salary of P16,000 from July to December 2013.

“While Karl’s engagement was a confidential position, which is exempted from the rule on nepotism, the disclosure of their filial relationship was still necessary,” the ombudsman said.